TITLE:
Seagrasses: a resource unknown in the ASEAN region.

AUTHOR:
Fortes MD.

SOURCE:
Manila, Philippines, International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management, 1990. x, 46 p. (Association of Southeast Asian Nations/United States Coastal Resources Management Project education series, 6)

ABSTRACT:
The contention is that development will be the most difficult in regions where there is water scarcity. The UN Conference on Environment and Development did not recognize the link between water and land use issues. This article addresses the interlinkages and policy implications of population growth, the environment and development. Three problems are crucial to an understanding and a solution to a sustainable environment: 1) multicause water scarcity, where water is finite and population is rapidly increasing; 2) multicause water pollution; and 3) multicause water-related land degradation, due to the balance of water/air, allowable salinity levels, and water holding capacity. Considerable attention was given to the links between climate and the ecosystem and water, the impact of water scarcity on populations and the implications for population growth. Most Third World countries are located in regions of water scarcity; as a consequence, it is important that the land be manipulated in such a manner as to optimize productivity without waste per unit of scarce resource (water). This can be accomplished through minimizing population growth by appropriate child spacing. Management is necessary for providing food security, safe water for households, and safe waste handling. Water resources development must be planned for the long term and include policies for land/water integration, dispute mitigation, and conflict resolution. Carrying capacity of water limited land use must be carefully researched. Proper analysis of the origin and consequences of environmental threats must be conducted, if environmental challenges are to be turned around, poverty reduced, and livelihoods secured for the poor in dry climate zones. The origins are hydroclimatic restrictions, human waste productions, and land use related livelihood demands. Human behavior reflects human needs and societal ambitions and economic and legislative incentives. Specifically, there is misuse and overexploitation of freshwater resources (depletion), poor waste handling (water quality degradation), and inadequate exposure of land surfaces (destruction of roots). The consequences on unsustainable water supply resulting in societal imbalances, threats to human health, and shorter vegetation periods.

YEAR:
1994

PIP#:
150359